Ear Infection In A Cocker Spaniel

My 9 year old Cocker Spaniel has been at the vet and was diagnosed with an ear infection, however, because of this he has lost the sight in one eye.

My vet prescribed a course of antibiotics which is now complete and I believe my dog still has an ear infection.

While I am cleaning his ears, a black hard gunge is coming from his ear.

I returned to my vet and I was told by the vet that there was no infection there.

Should I seek a second opinion, as I believe my dog still has the infection?

Reply from Pauline (Web Owner)

Hi Harkin,

If you feel strongly enough about this you should get a second opinion - even if it's just to put your mind at rest.

Cocker spaniels suffer quite regularly from ear infections so it's important to keep them free of excess hair around the inside of the ear and also keep them clean.

Our Cocker had an ear infection (in both ears!) for over six months - it simply wouldn't budge - no matter what the vet tried.

Eventually, out of desperation, I tried an antibacterial ear cleaner from our local pet shop (£3) and the ear infection disappeared within a week!

Our vet now uses it in her practice!

Since the infection, Max produces quite a lot of wax in his right ear - it's dark, almost black, and looks terrible. At first, I thought his ear infection had returned, but my vet reassured me that it was just wax.

I need to clean his ears every day to keep it at bay otherwise it becomes impacted and he ends up in the vets again for an ear syringe - and that's not cheap because it means he has to go under an anesthetic!

Comments for Ear Infection In A Cocker Spaniel

I have two AKC cocker spaniels, a 4-year old female, and 4-month old male cocker.

I've had four Cockers in my life and they've had problems with their ears. I finally got tired of having to spend so much money by taking them to vet for their ears.

So one day I went into the Vitamin Shop and found something to treat my dog's ear infections and I will share that information with you - I've been buying every since and it really has helped my dogs.

The name of product is : Vets Best Ear Wash Relief and Vets Best Ear Relief Dry and it only cost about $14.00 all together.

It's the best product to use on cocker spaniel ears.

I recommend you try it - you'll be glad you did.

I don't have to take my dogs to the vet any more as they no longer have problems with their ears.

It's pain free and will help your dog rest better.

dity earsby: SandraAnonymous

My cocker had a couple of ear infections - couldn't keep his ears clean until I was told about Thornit.

I used it for three days after which his ears were clean and not smelling.

Ear Infectionsby: Karen

We have had 3 cocker spaniels but now only have our beloved 9 yr old, Heidi.

From 3yrs old, we had to spend over $5000 in vet costs.

Many years of visits to the vets for diagnosis, and for medication for yeast infections (W/antibiotics/Otomax. Don't give RX Prednisone.)

Then came the diagnosis of allergies and RX dog food. We changed vets and were told the true cause is cauliflower ear, read-up on it.

He sent us to a surgery. We had one ear canal ablation surgery, it was over $1500. A nerve was nicked in surgery and she lost vision in the eye.

Then the other ear became constantly infected, we were told this usually happens. We had the other one done in 2009.

I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart I feel like we have mutilated her.

They have to be given massive amounts of pain meds after surgery and after second surgery it was horrible to see her.

That side of the face has the droop similar to that of a stroke.

She still constantly scratches smelly ears and is now totally blind (as of last week).

She never returned to the actions of a puppy as we were told she would. As of today, she sleeps or wanders around house, and lacks any kind of pep.

I don't think we did the right thing for her.

Our Cockers weren't meant to be put through so much and I am so sick about what we have done. I am now searching article on "quality of life" to help me decide what to do for her next.

Really think about it first - ear infections can be very painful for the dog.

I wish you the best. The surgery is the only thing that will cure the ear infections and don't go through years of what we did. Just make sure you can live with what you put the dog through just to live.